A judge in Colorado has made a significant ruling that could have implications for former President Donald Trump’s potential candidacy in the 2024 election. While the judge did not remove Trump from the state’s ballot, the ruling condemned his actions and found that he engaged in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. This marks the first time that any court in the country has made such a ruling, which could impact future challenges to Trump’s candidacy or even his ability to take office if he were to win the election.
The judge, Sarah Wallace, based her decision on testimony from US Capitol Police officers, lawmakers, and expert witnesses, as well as clips from Trump’s speech on January 6 and evidence of right-wing extremism. Wallace concluded that Trump “actively primed the anger of his extremist supporters” and “acted with the specific intent to incite political violence and direct it at the Capitol.” She also found that Trump intended to disrupt the certification of President Biden’s electoral victory through unlawful means.
Despite these damning findings, Wallace ruled that the constitutional ban on insurrectionist individuals holding office does not apply to presidents. The provision in question states that those who engage in insurrection after taking an oath to “support” the Constitution cannot hold office. However, it does not mention the presidency, and the presidential oath is to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, not to “support” it. Therefore, Wallace concluded that the ban does not apply to the president.
In her ruling, Wallace also embraced key parts of the House January 6 committee report, which blamed Trump for inciting the insurrection and recommended his disqualification under the 14th Amendment. Trump’s lawyers had argued that the report was biased against him, but the judge found it to be reliable and admissible as evidence.
While the Colorado ruling is not binding on other courts, it is significant in its comprehensive examination of Trump’s post-election conduct and could influence future legal challenges. It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will be asked to weigh in on the matter before the 2024 primaries begin.
Overall, this ruling represents a major legal victory for Trump, as he has successfully defended his spot on the ballot in multiple key states. However, the ruling also serves as a condemnation of his actions on January 6 and could have implications for his potential candidacy in the future.
